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Camping & Yurt

Quinta das Abelhas offers you a warm family welcome on a beautiful but basic smallholding in the green heart of Portugal, with breath-taking views of two mountain ranges, the Serra da Estrela (highest in Portugal) and the Serra de Açor.There is plenty to do on the quinta, there are ducks, geese, chickens, dogs, cats, and horses to play with and you are welcome to join in with all farm activities such as wine-making, olive harvesting (in season), helping in the gardens and feeding the animals, etc. Enjoy lovely walks through the valley and forests: the River Mondego for swimming and fishing, and the village with shops, bars and a restaurant, are just 15 mins walk. One person at a time is able to go for a guided ride on Daan, who is suitable for all ages and abilities, along country tracks with an optional picnic lunch.

You can visit the local markets at Tábua (Sunday morning) and Arganil (Thursday morning); one of the many places of interest in the area such as Coimbra, a historic university city; Piodão, a traditional mountain village; one of the nearby river beaches; go to the beach at Figueira da Foz; skiing in the Serra da Estrela; or simply stay on the quinta and relax, listening to the gentle sound of the sheep bells as the shepherd passes through to graze his herd.

The facilities at the quinta are very basic: there is an outdoor bathtub heated by an open fire underneath, an open-air compost toilet (loo with a view!), and water for drinking, cooking and washing comes from the well. For cooling off on hot days, we have a small irrigation tank to splash around in.

You can pitch your tent under the shade of an olive tree on one of our secluded terraces sheltered by grape vines. Alternatively, you may rent a cosy yurt which has a double matress (all bedding included), electricity and a woodburning stove. At some times it is also possible to rent a little 2-berth caravan (double bed).

You are welcome to join the family for evening meals, produced as much as possible from organic produce fresh from the gardens and accompanied with our home-produced organic wine. Special diets are no problem (please let us know in advance) and vegetarian/vegan cooking is a speciality. Picnic lunches can be provided.

Quinta das Abelhas is a member of WWOOF International and offers volunteer work placements on the smallholding in return for free camping and meals, please see the wwoof & volunteer work page for more details.